STATE COLLEGE — George Bodenheimer, executive chairman of ESPN, told Penn State graduates in the College of Communications to remain passionate and patient while pursuing their career goals.

Saturday’s ceremony was part of Penn State’s three-day graduation weekend, which kicked off Friday with the awarding of medals for the Schreyer Honors College and commencements for the colleges of Engineering and Earth and Mineral Sciences. The weekend continued with seven graduations on Saturday and two undergraduate and one graduate school program on Sunday.

“You’re all in such a wonderful position [today] because you have a degree from one of the world’s truly great universities,” Bodenheimer said in his address during Saturday afternoon’s commencement at Bryce Jordan Center. “While the world is evolving and certainly the media world is evolving, I believe there are certain timeless values that can help guide you through careers and life.”

Bodenheimer was a controversial choice for Penn State. He started in his position with ESPN in January 2012, just months after ESPN’s coverage of Jerry Sandusky’s child sexual abuse scandal came under heavy scrutiny. The way ESPN captured the fallout from the scandal left many alums and Penn State fans angry and confused.

But he didn’t use Saturday’s address as a means to explain his network’s coverage. Bodenheimer encouraged the graduates, including his son James, to pursue a career that helps fuel their passion.

Bodenheimer was warmly received by students and family members who responded with loud applause when he encouraged them to “envision we’re up in Beaver Stadium, it’s a beautiful fall afternoon, the Nittany Lions just driven the length of the field to score a victory over one of our Big Ten rivals.”

He kept his speech brief, telling the graduates and their families about the start of his ESPN career, when he began working in the mailroom in 1981. As the network grew, so did Bodenheimer’s role within ESPN. He was the network’s longest-tenured president, serving from 1998 to 2012.

“I’ve been fortunate over the years with ESPN to attend sporting events all over the world. Some of the greatest events, but I have never, trust me, I have never, ever seen more passion for an event than I saw here in this arena over that weekend.”

He told them to celebrate and reflect on their accomplishment this weekend, something that many already started doing.

Around Penn State’s main campus, thousands of students and their families posed for pictures at the usual spots. The line for the Nittany Lion Shrine was a few hundred deep while Old Main lawn was scattered with smiling faces soaking up the sunshine on their final days in State College.

The shrine will close May 13 for renovations and won’t open to visitors again until summer commencement on Aug. 5, forcing students to promptly take their final cap and gown photos. With Joe Paterno’s bronze statue removed last summer and relocated to one of the University’s storage units, there were no make-shift Paterno posters or signs in the statue’s place.

While it wasn’t just another Saturday in Happy Valley for Penn State’s newest additions to the alumni association, there was a final “We are ...” chant, making it reminiscent of a football game day.

“In the long run it is not your job that will define you but it’s how you conduct your life and the choices that you make that will,” Bodenheimer said. “Passion will truly drive your success.”

Featured Story

Get 'Today's Front Page' in your inbox

This newsletter is sent every morning at 6 a.m. and includes the morning's top stories, a full list of obituaries, links to comics and puzzles and the most recent news, sports and entertainment headlines.

optionalCheck here if you do not want to receive additional email offers and information.See our privacy policy

Thank you for signing up for 'Today's Front Page'

To view and subscribe to any of our other newsletters, please click here.